Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC)
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Speaker 2
6:51
right members if you could go ahead and start taking your seats Members
Mike Hager
Unverified
6:59
are gonna call Arkansas legislative council in order Our members welcome to Arkansas Legislative Council at this time I'd like to recognize Senator Ricky Hill for our prayer if you would please stand join me in prayer your heavenly father we pray that you will watch over us
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
7:22
todaylord we pray that you'll be with us and allow us to make a decisions that you would have us to make for you on behalf of the state would we pray for the family of Gary Stubblefield who is not with us today welord we pray that you'll be with them and watch over them as they continue to heal from the loss of his life. We pray Lord, that you'll be with each and every one of us andlord we pa put a special prayer out for our military and our law enforcement officers Lord we pray that you'll be with them and take them take care of them and bring them home safely to their families in your name we pray amen thank you senator
Mike Hager
Unverified
7:56
. Members at this time I need a motion to adopt the approval of last last meeting's minutes with a motion and second all those in favor say aye opposed ayes have it . Members, I need a motion at this time to suspend the rules to take up a supplemental agenda we have a motion the second the second all those in favor say aye opposed right but this time I'd like to recognize senator Terry Rri
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
8:47
Senator rich you recognize whenever you're ready thank you Mr chairir knocked off interim resolution to 202502 requesting that the legislative council honor the memory of senator Gary Stubblefield for his many contributions to his community and to the home state of Arkansas I'll cover most of this it's in your packet back of your packet members if you'd like to follow along I'll abbreviate a little bit but don't want to skip much. whereasen Garon Stubblefield,
who resided near Branch, Arkansas passed away Tuesday September 2,2025. in littlettleRock at 74 years of age whereas center Stubblefield was born February 28,1951 in Charleston to the late HT Toddy Stubblefield and beautyac man too Stubblefield the journey of life forensator Stubblefield began on Mill Creek Mountain which we have discussed some in Franklin County where he had a humble beginning that set the stage for the rest of his life Sensator Stofield
graduated from a small county a small country county line school district but before that he attended a oneroom schoolhouse in Cecil Arkansasen Stubblefield's family moved from Mill Creek Mountain to the alleyarm and branch that his parents bought which included 120 acres of wooded land and they cleared by hand Cen Stublefield was 11 years old he milked cows on the family farm before and after school each day
and as the cows increase in numbers so did the work. Centstoverfield played basketball in junior high and senior high so he could he would milk the cows then ride his bicycle two miles one way from the farm to highway 22 by the cell barn to catch the bus and ditch his bike at the bus stop this is how he got to the games rain or shine each day after graduating from Countyyon High School, ent Stoverfield attended University of Arkansas
at Fafayetteville where he was determined to make the Arkansas razorback football squad even though he had never played football because he came to from a school that did not have a football program it's my favorite story Senator Stubblefield made University Arkansas at Fayetteville football team and went on to play in the liberty Bow and the cotton Bowl in his positions on a special teams as a cornerback after her football injury Senator Stublefield continued to attend college majoring in
animal science and in 1969 he pledgedalphaamma role in farmhouse fraternity and during his time at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Center Stubville met the love of his life Kathy Colley. and they married in 1974 Center Stubverville took over his parents' dairy farm milking 80 cows and raising chickens Amber and Joshua on the farm became his life . en ator Stubblefield served on the county line school board and is a justice of peacece you know in Arkansas milk stabilization
board appointed by governor Mike Huuckabee. I'll insert one thing that's not in this after that time Terry Rice got its name and went to his house and talked to him after the 2009 my first session told him we needed him and LittleRock. ent Stubblefield was a member of the SsAarmers co op board a national association of Christian lawmakers and convention of states en ator Stuberfield spent one term in the house of
Representatives for district67 before being elected to the senate in 2013. and he served for the rest of his life of all things in his life that he treasured sent Sofield's love for thelord was greatest and he served him d diligently throughout his life becoming a member of the firstbaptistchurch and branch in 1976 served his Sunday school youth boys teacher for34 years and also at Sunday school superintendent deain
the youth of the senator Stubverfield taught often bring up the memory how much they loved the warm homemade cookies and sweet drinks they'd brought every Sunday when he when he was awake at 2:30 a.m. milking cows and would get back in the house by 8:30 just enough time to bake cookie cookies for his boys Senator Stubblefield cared for all the people from all walks of life but his family was his treasure I will mention and you can read
all the family when we aren't know and love Kathy Stubbyfield children Ambers and self and their spouses all the grandchildren and the body of ent Stubville lay in state Thursday September 11th,2025 at the Arkansas State Capitol rotunda LittleRock to honor his exemplary life and legacy be it resolved by the legislative council of the ninetyfifth general assembly of the ark of the state of Arkansas that the legislative
council honor the memory of enator Gary Stubblefield for his many contributions to his community and to his home state of Arkansas be it further resolved upon the adoption of this resolution to copy be provided by the executive secretary of the legislative council to the family of Senator Gar Don Stubblefield and Mr Chairman, I move that we have a
Speaker 20
14:20
unanimous vote thank you senator rice for that much appreciated members
we have a motion to adopt this
resolution to have a second all those in favor signing to by saying aye opposed. thank you again and members
please keep Senator Stubblefield's family in your prayers at this time you Mr chair and committee right members at this time I'm
gonna recognize Senator Missy Irvin and Representative Mark Perry.
senator not seeing Representative Perry you can go ahead and
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
15:26
begin. OK thank you so much thank you Mr Chair. Members of the general assembly, I want to share before I read this resolution. this is a resolution honoring the memory of Charles James Charlie Kirk as an icon of modern American conservatism and a proponent of his rtian faith before I read parts of this memorial I want to tell you that Amber Senator Sublefield's daughter Amber
at his memorial service told me that Gary had been invited to go pheasant hunting with Charlie Kirk. and they had already purchased their plane tickets for the end of September and Garyubblefield was so excited to meet Charlie Kirk and to go hunting with him and Amber cried and she said he's so much wanted to meet Charlie and unfortunately now he is meeting Charlie because they're in heaven together . And so I think it actually is
very fitting that we have a memorial resolution for Senator Gary Stubblefield, my friends, our colleague and one for Charlie Kirk because Gary admired Charlie Kirk for his fearless de defense of the Arkansas const American Constitution US Constitution and freedom of speech but also his faith if you know Gary Stubblefield you knew that his faith was the most important thing in his life God was most important and his family was second and he had a great amount of
admiration and respect for Charlie Kirk and so it's my honor and privilege to present this bipartisan resolution on behalf of Representative Perry and myself whereas Charles James, Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10,2025 at 31 years of age and whereas during his life Charlie Kirk was a passionate advocate for the United States Constitution and the United States of America as well as for free speech and his rtian faith and whereas Charlie Kirk was born on October
14,1993 and was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois eventually earning the rank of eagle scout in the boys boy scouts of America and whereas Charlie Kirk became interested in politics during middle school after reading works by economist Milton Friedriedman and during his junior year of high school he volunteered for the successful United States Senate campaign of Illinois Republican Mark Kirk and whereas at age 17 Charlie Kirk made his first appearance on the conservative business news channel Fox Business an appearance prompted
by an essay he wrote for the conservative news website Breitbart News Network and at the age of 18, Charlie Kirk co-founded and became executive director of Turning Point USA a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying organizing and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government. Turning Point USA grew to become one of the largest political organizations in the United States encompassing representation at over 1200 high
schools and college campuses n ation w ide as well as massive rallies at which top conservative leaders addressed tens of thousands of young voters he was a best selling Charlie Kirk was a best selling author the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and host since 2020 of the Charlie Kirk show, a popular talk radio program. Charlie Kirk generated unprecedented interest in political conservatism among American youth espousing and
defending often vi a informal college campus debates held at his signature prove merong table. A number of conservative stances and whereas President Donald J. Trump ordered the flag of the United States flown at halfstaff as a mark of respect from the memory of Charlie Kirk and whereas President Trump also announced that Charlie Kirk would be awarded posthumously the presidential M meal of Freedom. now therefore be it resolved by the legislative council of the ninetyfifth
General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that this legislative council honored the memory of Charles James Charlie Kirk as an icon of modern American conservatism and a proponent of his Christian faith. I respectfully ask for a good vote for this resolution and again I appreciate uhpresentative Perry for his cosponsorship of this resolution I think it shows how we in the state of Arkansas worked together
despite our differences and and I appreciate that work that we do every single day together in a bipartisan manner for many issues that we face and address in this Arkansas legislature I don't have the opportunity to get cosponsors for everybody but I will have a sheet if you want to sign I will have it in the back and if you want to sign and support of this resolution after we vote hopefully and pass it we'll have this in the back and you can sign this and this resolution will be mailed to Miss Erica Kirk, the wife of Charlie Kirk. With that
I asked for a good vote. thank you for that
senator. Members needed a motion to adopt this resolution a motion in 2nd 2nd any discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed unanimous thank you for the presentation that's
Speaker 30
20:44
thank you that shows amazing from the state of Arkansas, amazing
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
20:47
leadership in a time when this country really needs it thank you.
our members that's going to move us down to item D it will be a presentation of the august revenue revenue report of doctorctor Carlos Silva you
Speaker 41
21:24
recognize. Thank you Mr Chairman Carlos Silva bureauli's letter research and to today'm here to present the august 2025 monthly revenue report as we're looking through collections of gross general revenues year to today we have $1.29 billion from the first two
Speaker 42
21:38
months is an increase of69.5 million dollars and 57 % above last year as we looked into that general revenue available for distribution our bottom line we'll see 1.3.13 billion dollars which is an increase of $82.4 million or7.9% from last year August 2024 as we look into the first line you see some large changes there on corporate income tax refunds in
the middle as well as economic development incentive fund individual income tax refunds for the corporate and the incentive funds those are the changes that tend to happen from month to month and for the individual income tax as we have some of those cuts last few years we still see that change and we tend to
Speaker 41
22:26
progress and stabilize as we move forward as we move to page number 2 we'll see the cumulative deviation from the the F andA net general revenue revenue available for distribution forecasts we're still moving in
Speaker 42
22:39
a positive direction at75.7 million dollars above the forecast for those first two months we still
Speaker 41
22:44
have a while to go here but there's a it's a great improvement as you look to page number3 to page number4 we'll have general revenue
Speaker 42
22:53
collections if you look into the first section their income taxes we we have some of those changes there are seem large as a percentage but those that do to the those due dates they will have the extensions some people have filed on paper and they had those days
July31st have filed before the extension and we'll have to see some of those large changes but if you look in the bottom on the total income taxes you see that the change is not that large and when you think about just chum months you're gonna see 10 point 9% there on those changes as we're moving into the special revenues from page5 and beyond. you also see something of no with the driver search fees and and those large changes there are 13,000% and so
on those changes are just because last year it has been deposited in in September so we have a delay there so last year those numbers seem really low and that's why we have this huge difference now showing a large increase so as we move towards September everything's gonna be adjusted and we will be balanced it out with respect of what is going on in the national level we have seen confidence slightly down
spending still steady but most of it has been done by high income individuals unemployment in the state as we we have seen it move from37 to38 but that talked quite some time so when you start looking through true three decimal places those five months is a small progression there as always keep an eye on the stood along still increasing which is one of the first lines of defense there before we see some data within other items and with that I'll
take any further questions. thank you doctor. we
have a couple of questions Representativeladyman you're recognized thank you Mr Chairman. I'm over
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
24:51
here you mentioned I I had a question about the search fees you you mentioned that on page five there and it was like a 13,000% increase and you talked about what that was and I noticed a couple other places where it had search fees that were large percentage increases what
exactly is the search fee where does where's that money come from? So there's
Speaker 42
25:15
a different type of search fees those are associate driver's license some of those are commercial some of those so it's a bunch of different search fees that go through when you d you gotta a driver's license if you need to apply for a job right they they gonna do that that type of search so last last year we have if you look into the report from last year we have a big decline just because things got dispersed in a different month and that's why
Speaker 52
25:42
we have this huge discrepancy here but in reality it's just a timing issue and next month
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
25:49
everything will be adjusted. one other question on the first page there we looked at that and beer sales were down and wine sales were up and I mean to me that typically says that the economy is doing a little bit better overall and you got a plus 10% so in general would you say that you know these numbers look look good overall so
Speaker 41
26:12
that that's the not much movement in employment right now right there's not a lot of people being hired
Speaker 42
26:17
that's that's kind of steady now but it's not a lot about a lot of firing going on as well so things are steady and as most of the spending has been done by the high income individuals that's one of the things that we we we kind of keeping an eye on it is how those individuals can may change their spending if something happened to the stock market and so on
Thank you Representative next we have Representative
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
26:57
rose you're recognized right Representative wooten thank you Mr Chairman. two questions doctor the first one where were we in august of 24 relative to the75.7 million on page two that were above where were we at this point last year I can't remember the top of my
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
27:16
head I'm sorry sir if you would find that can take
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
27:20
a look and get back with you is the last time we met we I ask you the question about the tariffs and what impact we might have have y'all done any more work on that and can you enlighten us relative to that's the reason I asked the first question but do we know what the impact of the tariffs may be on the state. Yes, yes sir. So as as I've been looking to right now
Speaker 42
27:47
what has been going on some of the the companies have absorbed some of that some has been passed through to the individuals but some has been absorbed what the initial impact that has been expected it has not been as high as has been expected in the beginning but we still have time to go here so we still have some time to go as we still have some inventories that need to go through those pretax inventories so once that has been finalized we might start seeing a a difference and for
increase but whether or not this is gonna be a one time change or it's gonna be continuous due to the behavior of individuals and other things that's something that we still need to find out but as of right now that's where we stand that we still have some inventories some of the distribution has been done by
Speaker 52
28:36
absorption and the other one has been passed
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
28:39
to the consumer one more question and and it has to do with the agricultural situation relative to our farmers and what they're facing
two parts are the do the tariffs have anything to do with that and the drop in commodity prices is that related to the tariffs so so as we look into the report if you
Speaker 42
29:04
look into ri over here you're gonna see things are gonna not be corresponding to what is going on to chooses to some of the discussions that we have with the farmers right because they pay a flat fee so as we're looking through the
monthly revenue report and some of the collections we have because some of those fees are paid as a at a flat rate we might not see this here directly by we might see this into income tax sales taxes and things like that so that's why we would be start seeing that if we have some decline on the agriculture industry in the state of Arkansas. thank you thank you Mr Chairman. thank
Speaker 52
29:41
you senator Love thank you chair and Mrsilva I'm going to pick
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
29:49
up or Doctor Silva I'm gonna pick up where
wherepresentative Wooton left off just just for some clarification now you now you said in regards to the tariffs and the impacts we'll see what what indicators will we be looking at on this report if we if we begin to see the the the impact of the negative impact of tariffs yes sir
so it has a couple of ways that we can see this
Speaker 63
30:13
right so if you think about a price increases we
Speaker 42
30:17
might see this here in a report as an increase in collections right if people pay more for the
goods we're gonna see increasing collections but at the same time as people start if people lose their jobs we might see some decline in income or in corporate collections and so on so it is a mix it is gonna be a mix of both of them. once things move forward we of course keep an eye on it and like as we do every month but as other indicators as well that we looked into closely that would impact this s ok so in your in your in your
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
30:50
future reports will we be covering will we be
specifically covering these just and and I I mean I know this is a politically charged you know hey tariffs terrorists are doing this terrorists are doing that I just want to make sure that we really clearly keep a hold
on so if that's something that the sorry apologize no go ahead if there's something that the the
Speaker 79
31:11
members would like I can talk about a national
Speaker 42
31:14
how how's that's been working and bring something more in depth or I can even talk to you afterwards and provide your report monthly if
Speaker 52
31:25
that's desired. OK. right. thank you thank you Mr chair. thank you
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
31:31
senatorpresentative Tos thank you Mr Chair if you would direct your attention to page five I've got a question when you get to that page under the state police you look under the state police I noticed the increase in it it's a substantial increase under the additional drivers search fees in 2024 it was only
uh634 dollars and now in 2025 we're looking at $128,000 plus can you explain that yes sir definitely so so this driver search fees
Speaker 42
32:04
is the same as the other ones they just get distributed differently so last year in in august if you look into august 20242023 has a huge decline because of the month was just a timing issue when the month has has been put it into here so as we move into September we'll see this thing stabilize so there's not have been much change I have talked
to the agency so in general we shouldn't see much change as we move forward it's just a time issue and since we just have two months we see that big
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
32:41
difference ok thank you all right senator hammer you're next. thank you on page five also under corrections department it has the farm and then
it has thery on the industry is that from I'm just not sure what that is and I was wondering if you have an explanation for what's attributed to the industry.
I'm sorry so what page again I'm on page 5 and it's about 10 items up from the bottom under state police I think I'm looking at the wrong report. let me look here I'm on the wrong report. sorry
about that the annual revenue just want to see if you're awake talking about then sorry about that I think it's
the the page that says analysis of general and special revenues page5 ok so we're talking
Speaker 79
34:05
I don't remember all that those the industry those type of service that got they are part of this but I I right I'll if the
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
34:16
department's in the room, I'll get with them afterwards. I just see if you knew or not. thank you. don't
remember why there's a chip right thank you doctor seeing no further questions thanks for your presentation members that takes us down to the item
Mike Hager
Unverified
34:30
E report of the executive committee. I'm going to recognize my co-chair senator Bill Ben Gilmore.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
34:38
Thank you Les. members of the executive subcommittee met yesterday approved waiver requests for the cooperative purchase construction services for Jackson County School District and de Queen School District. The subcommittee also approved two consulting services contracts which are attached to the report. One, the use of the for the use of the ALc hospitalstal Medicaidvelopment subcommittee related their workforce social services study and one for the jointnergyittee to conduct a nuclear energy feasibility study members I will point out that both of these contracts went through respective
subcommittees were approved unanimously and then recommended to the executive committee for final approval. so with that I movedtion of this report we have a question Representative beatty thank you Mr
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
35:24
chairir specifically the question on the ladyman's contract approval Act707, I thought the instruction there was that Department of Energy and Environment would engage in outside consultant for this contract so I was wondering why we moved to Blr
we have an answer up here if you just give us just a second Miss Ggarrty you're
Speaker 108
35:50
recognized marty errty umpresent beatty the act provided that the department would undertake the study if they had the monies to do the study we've been advised by the department that they do not have the funds to take on the study did we have do we have an idea of what their fund balance is
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
36:08
we did not ask we did not ask so we're going to spend300 and
what305,000 dollars of VLR funds for this study. That's correct thank
Speaker 112
36:25
you Representative Woootten and pardon my ignorance
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
36:29
but it it's one of the contracts deal with the uh4 million dollars approval of a economic freedom accounts no sir these are wholly separate
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
36:46
it's not part of this no sir no sir not at
all thank you all right members seeing no other questions we have a motion. can I get a second? Any discussion all
those in favor signify by saying aye pose the ayes have it all right members that's gonna take us down to item F1 administrative rules I'm going to recognize Representative
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
37:11
Sheph the administrative rules subcommittee met on September 25th. the subcommittee filed one report of the executive subcommittee concerning its
review and approval of emergency rules subcommittee approved one request for exclusion from the reporting requirements for 2025 rulemaking by the oil and gas commission subcommittee received agency updates on outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session and all rules were reviewed and approved as noted in the report and I move adoption of the report members any question seeing none we have a motion. can I get a second?
have a second any discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye any opposed the ayes have it.
that takes us down to item two charitable penal and
Speaker 48
37:51
correctional institutions. I'm going to recognize Senator Matt Mckee. think Mr Chairman the charitable
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
37:57
penal excuse me and corrections institutions subcommittee met on Tuesday and her testimony regarding the following items the discussion of the department oforrection critical incident report involving the prisoner escape from North Central Unit in CalicoRock presentation of the Arkansas Statelice investigation report involving the prisoner escape fromcalico rockck and an update from the department of Corrections and
the board oforrections regarding their current policies and protocols regarding prison security and currently vacant positions within the department of Corrections. I move for adoption of this report. all right members any questions on
this one all right seeing none we have a motion can I get a second? we have a second any discussion seeing none all those in favor signify
Chair
Unverified
38:39
by saying aye opposed the ayes have it takes us down to item F3presentative ought you Mrir. The claims review
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
38:50
litigation reports oversight committee met on Monday September 22nd the subcommittee reviewed four litigation reports and6 litigation settlements the three litigation reports litigation reports were pulled from consideration prior to the meeting at the agency's request at the request of the claims commission one claim was pulled from consideration prior to the meeting the subcommittee affirmed the rulings of the claims commission as to all other claims on the agenda and with that I move for adoption
thank you members any questions? all right seeing none we have a motion I need a second a second any discussion seeing none
all those in favor signify by saying aye any opposed ays have it. Item6presentativeeyton
Senator John Payton
Unverified
39:39
you're recognized thank you Mr Chair. The highway commission review and advisory subcommittee met Wednesday and heard testimony on the efficiency study recommendation rules for implementation quarterly land conveyances report infrastructure investment and Jobs Act reports and the reports
on highway construction projects of 10 million or more. I move adoption of this report thank you senator
members any seeing none we have emotionally a second we have a
second any discussion seeing none all those in favor say aye oppose the let's have it Item7, presentative Bentley
you're recognized thank you chairman. The hospital
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
40:18
medicaid and Development dissabilities sudies subcommittee met on august 18th and September 19th to discuss
statespecific workforce reform initiatives and to hear testimony on the child abuse hotline procedures. The subcommittee met on September 22nd to rebu various programs and discuss updates on reimbursement rates related to the livingvinghoss assisted living waiver. The subcommittee approved a motion to engage the Georgia Center for Opportunities for audit Services in relation to the study mandated by Act 145 of20 25 addressing workforce and social services reform the subcommittee met again onptember 25th to explore Utah's workforce services programs and
I move an adoption of the report. all right thank
you members any questions?igunne we have a motion in a second we have a second any
discussion seeing none all those in favor say aye opposed the ayes have it. Alright members that takes us down to
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
41:16
item 10presentative meeks you're recognized thank you Mr Chairman the occupational licensing review subcommittee met on both Monday and Thursday to receive various occupational authorization
reports from aroix. I move the adoption of the report all right thank you
members any questions? rightingun we have a motion can I get a second? a second any discussion seeing none all those paper say aye opposed the ays have it takes us down to
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
41:48
item 11 Represent representative Wardlaw you recognized the peer subcommittee met on Tuesday, September 23rd. subcommittee received reports received requests and approved the following various temporary appropriationsARES Act appropriations, Americanrescue
Plan appropriations infrastructurevestments and Jobs actcts appropriations and restricted reserve fund transfers I move adoption of report be happy to answer any questions right thank youpresentative Wardlaw members any questions? all right seeing none we have a motion. Can
I get a second? we have a second? any discussion seeing none all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed the ayes have it . Item12 review this should be Senator Blake
Speaker 136
42:28
you're recognized the review subcommittee met on Tuesday and reviewed the methods of finance discretionary grants to agency ratifications RfQ approval request and services contracts all items presented for the month were reviewed and I move for adoption of this report thank you
senator we have question Representative wooten you're recognized thank you Mr
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
42:52
Chairman. my question has to do with two interrelated in the department of Education
here we approve4 million do contract extension for the freedom accounts that's4 million dollars and then on the other hand we're cutting40% out of the readiness programme for preschool children to be able to attend daycare centers that are providers also of pre-K so my
question is did you as the committee have knowledge of this change in policy by the department of Education before you approved the4 million dollars you're asking me Representative wooten
Speaker 136
43:45
who are you directing that question to? well to
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
43:54
the to whoever presented the report that's
Senator Johnson do you know what page it's on
Speaker 136
44:07
it's well it's it's on page it's on page 40 out of state contracts Department of Education if you would come forward all right we
Speaker 142
44:14
get someone from the department of edd
Mike Hager
Unverified
44:39
if you would just introduce yourself for
Speaker 144
44:43
the record and we'll get on with it. Courtney
Mike Hager
Unverified
44:46
Salisfod, chief of staff department of Education. greg rogers department of education Representative
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
44:52
Wooman, why don't you ask these folks your question? thank you thank you all for being present today I know it's enjoyable when I call you up here or ask for information we have you have asked for4 million dollars extension to the contract to verify the expenses for the
economic or for the freedomc accounts is that correct? That contract encompasses
Speaker 147
45:16
multiple things that is one piece of it did you askpresentative Woootton
let him answer your question before you interrupt him please. did you
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:26
ask for a4 million dollars extension on
Speaker 147
45:28
the contract that covers multiple things, yes. multiple things according
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:32
to the press it covers economic it covers the freedom accounts is that correct?'m not sure what the press says about it. EFA's
Speaker 149
45:42
is one piece of it it also covers literacy tutoring grants and school safety
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
45:49
grants. so you're not aware of what the4 million's going to
Speaker 149
45:53
be spent for? Yes sir it's two class wallet the entity that administers education freedom accounts, literacy tutoring grants and school safety
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
46:01
grants. my question if you why if you can find4 million dollars in your accounts down there why are you cutting40% and I've been told by the chairman
Mr Eaves ofpresentative Eaves about the COVID money but all we gave the folks out there in my district and statewide was a week notice that we were going to cut their in their income by40% is that correct the school readiness assistance programme that you're referring
Speaker 147
46:34
to is a federally funded program. The4 million for the contract is state funded so they're completely separate funding and there's I can go into great detail but there's a
lot of nuances and and issues that arise when you mingle state and federal funds and so if we were to infuse state funding into the SRA federal programme. Again, there are long term consequences of that
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
47:02
separate my my follow up question if I may is do you do you do you have the money down there to intercede and to keep40% of the money from being taken away
from these pre-K students we're not
Speaker 147
47:20
keeping or or taking away any money the federal funding is no longer there to
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
47:26
to fund that realized that but y'all do y'all have funds to replace it you've got million well you have4 million dollars to spend for the private schools what what about the parents of these students out here and I'm getting phone calls from all over my district from providers and from parents and
there's a many of them that will not be able to complete this year with a40% reduction overnight with a week's notice and you're you're telling that you're telling this body that y'all don't have the money down there to step in and fill in with the federal government is pulling out . What I'm saying is
Speaker 147
48:12
that is a federally funded program that those funds are no longer available and to infuse state
funds into a federal program creates a lot more issues including MOe supplements supplant ongoing obligations of
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
48:28
the state you have made the point clear that the federal government my question is do y'all not have the money down there to step in and make up the shortfall that's my question if you've got4 million dollars to bid in the freedomc accounts what about your question but
it's not an easy yes or no wooten that
Speaker 62
48:53
can't affordpresentative Wooot She's not answering my
question she's answering your question but I have a suggestion there's gonna be a very in depth meeting over this topic next week I believe it's Tuesday at one o'clock the education committee is going to dive into this pretty, pretty deeply. so that might be a better place to make your points because at this point we're talking about an item that is not even on this agenda. hope they have a better answer
for that would imagine they'll be prepared for that you yes sir thank
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:29
you Representator Love you recognize thank you miss chair and actually I thought that that item was the school readinesses is one of the items here because we talked about it in committee is that not correct is not on
the agenda item that was being discussed was the class wallet well let let me ask you
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:45
this in that same vein though you're saying that they're gonna have a
meeting September30th next yeah whatever next Tuesday
at one o'clock are the cuts still expected
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
49:57
to go into the effectoctober firstt so then that that gives us a day to to make a adjustments if we
are to make any adjustments we were asked to come and present at at a subcommittee
Speaker 160
50:14
meeting on September30th which we're happy to do and come explain but that does not change what's to occur on October
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
50:24
first. OK before before we before we take this item up then what I'd like to do is I would like to make sure I'm I'm in a comment as
far as when we go into discussion I I want discussion on this on this item you got itsenator hammer Thank you
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
50:45
Mr Chair. Just to bring clarity to my mind if nobody else is the4 million that's under discussion on the current contract
even if we could which my understanding is we can't. none of that money could be used in order to address the issue of the preschool that's on the table for discussion. Is that correct? That is correct and this is just an extension of an existing contract that that has nothing to do with the preschool issue at hand, correct? OK then what I'd like to ask is when you come to the meeting next Tuesday
please bring all fund balances for all the accounts at the department of edd under their jurisdiction to that meeting next Tuesday if you would please. thank you Mr Chair. Thank you Senator Representativeladyyman. thank you Mr. Chairman. Reverladydingman hold on just a second. Can we hear your point of order? I I
can't hear you. I'm sorry but you would hit your button I have a motion on the table we're not in discussion no we're in the question and answer phase
I'll get back to you in just a
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
52:00
second. Go ahead Representative ladydyman. thank you Mr Chairman. totally different direction here but when I saw this now that y'all are at the table item four there the4 million dollars you know school safety is very important and you had a grant program I had a number of schools that called me that applied and didn't get the money and their question was is there going to be more money, more grant money for school safety. I hope I'm not off base here but would this include any additional funding to improve school safety?
Speaker 163
52:29
I'm So yeah this is this is just dealing with those private schools so we're offering this to thelass wallet for the private schools there is a separate pot that is still working with our school safe team is working with public schools to reissue I think there's about35 million dollars in there that is going to that our school safety team is working with school districts in the state for the the private schools no sir that's just for the public school the private schools are are going through the class wallet thing because they don't receive the money they only get reimbursed for school safety
things they do for public schools that goes through Av scan and we're tracking those expenditures through a separate thing but your pro public schools are still going to have the opportunity to go get a grant process for additional public school school safety grants thank you all right senator hill immediate consideration for approval thank you for that members seeing no other questions
we have a motion from s excuse me senator Johnson we have a second
second all those in favor signify by saying hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on. I promised senator loveve I'd give him a moment during discussion of this item is that what you're asking for? we have a motion and a second it's time for discussion right media excineration right all those on paper say aye oppose the
eye's have it thank you members that takes us down to item 1el state insurance programs
No that's that's done. I didn't take the immediate consideration. I took the original motion. That item is reviewed.member that takes us to item
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
54:18
13 state insurance programspresentative ladyman state insurance programme oversight subcommittee met the state insurance program met on Wednesday the subcommittee reviewed the employee benefits division's contract with Dataath administrative Services incorporated and contract renewal with the colonial lifefe and Aidentsurance Company I move for adoption of this report.
I remember you heard the report any questions? seeing none we have a motion and we get a second we have a second all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed the ayes have it. Item14 personnelpresentative
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
54:58
me the personnel subcommittee met on Wednesday, September 24th and reviewed the request and reports listed as items 1 through 9. no items were held I'll be glad
to answer any questions and move to adopt the report at the proper time but first, due to a number of questions I would ask for Colonel Hagar to come address what has happened with the Arkansas federal surplus property program Good morning if you'd introduce yourself for the record we'll get with the questions
Mike Hager
Unverified
55:32
good morning chairs members my name is Mike Hager. I'm
secretary of the department of Public Safety and director of Arkansas State Police. right we have a question
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
55:52
from Representative Wardlaw thank you Mrir's he's here represent Mr Secretary, can you explain to me I noticed on the agenda of personnel I'm not on that committee so today's the day I can ask this question but can you explain to me when you notified anybody in the governor's office our leadership in the legislature of
the decision to rift those four employees at the federal surplus yes
Speaker 176
56:14
sir I can give you ballparks. I went back
Mike Hager
Unverified
56:18
and looked at my phone log to see when I spoke with members of the legislature I know I've spoke with several members about several different issues but I recall speaking with Senator Rice on this issue and I don't believe we've spoken since and that was on august twentyseh but was that before or
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
56:40
after you had initiated the the riff process. I would say
Mike Hager
Unverified
56:45
that was during the process we've been this this
Speaker 179
56:48
came about kind of quickly so you didn't meet with any members of the legislature before you initiated the process sir
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
56:59
I I just find it hard to understand how we can shut a program down that benefits so many of our constituents without a conversation a single conversation because once that riff was initiated, would you
agree the process of shutting down the federal surplus had taken place well
Mike Hager
Unverified
57:18
so may have misspoke the the actual riff began within the last and again I I don't have the timeline in front of me. we, I don't know that it actually officially began before I'd had a conversation with members of the legislature but I will say that by the time that I'd had those conversations with the legislators there was really no decision to be made at that point. it was it because it
had been made correct well because we had no choice. we had to make that decision. I mean there you know as you're aware the the agency is not funding with general revenue. they have to pay for themselves and we literally cannot make payroll within say the next60 to90 days. So at that point unfortunately there was no choice to be made thank you Mr Chair thank you Representative Wardlaw. Members any
other questions all right seeing none we have a motion to
review we need a second we have a second all
those in favor signify by saying aye opposed the ayes have it. thank you for coming down. thank you sir all right
Mike Hager
Unverified
58:22
members that takes us down past itemg into itemh. These are review of communications the only one that's gonna need any action is exhibit H9B yeah, Senator hickey go ahead. yes sir. Id mentioned to you and I made a mistake. I thought
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
58:39
it was under review and it was under rules. I would like to ask the go back if it's ok to ask
the pharmacy a question about the rules that they they have in place. Yes sir if we
Mike Hager
Unverified
58:52
could get someone here for the pharmacy my apologies for that.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
59:02
that's totally on me for missing that. I was trying to get through this 200 and something page document and should have done it earlier thanks for the reminder senator
Mike Hager
Unverified
59:08
thank you sir yes sir gentlemen if you would just recognize yourself for the record we'll let you answer Senator hickey's questions. Thank you Mr Chair. My name is John Claykirtley. I'm
Speaker 187
59:17
the director of the Arkansas State Board of pharmacy Matt
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
59:22
Gilmore department of healthalth thank you on page 22 of of your' 22 of the rules I had seen that you had just struck through that we're used to you could only have like one, let me get back here. in no time may a supervising pharmacy or perceptor supervised more than one intern outside of the signed educational rotation sponsored by a college of pharmacy and y'all struck through that. sir.
do you still have a limit because on down I believe on page 44 it it kind of alludes to that they can do can they
Speaker 188
59:56
do up to4 now? Yes sir what we actually did was we had a a separate ratio limit for pharmacy technicians as support staff members and interns as staff members. we basically took those and combined those so that it would be a4 to1 limit whether it was4 interns with no techx 3 and 12 and2 however the ratio would work just to give some
businesses flexibility in that OK mainly out out in the rural areas is is that the reason you've done you've done that or yes sir in in the areas around our three college of pharmacy locations pharmacies can often have interns and they may be able to have more than one per pharmacist but in rural areas like where I grew up there's there's hardly ever any interns available so it would allow them to use pharmacy technicians up to that number of4 insteadok but just in its raw form and again I I may be ok with it but
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:00:49
here the only thing was is we used to we used to cap it so they couldn't do more than one. So now we we are going to go up to basically4 times that amount we're going to allow
Speaker 188
1:01:00
them to do4, correct? Well yes and no it they could always have4 before the the odd thing is the pharmacy interns actually have a higher level of training than the pharmacy technicians by rule and and by being students in pharmacy school so before you would only be able to have one intern and three lesser trained people now you
could have up to4 higher trained people but it does cut away from the lesser trained people you could have yeah I guess the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:01:28
old rule though the way the old rule read it literally limited the more trained person as you're as you're saying now it limited that to one so we are taking that up to4 in the in the maxx case right sir Again, I'm sure there's some individuals here that are gonna know understand that whether or not we think ford's too much but I just wanted to point that out to make sure that
that wasn't where did you come up with the where they could do for was there some type of national data or anything on that or
Speaker 188
1:01:59
we do have some national data that I could pull for you that most states have a ratio limit for both interns and for technicians when we have had push from industry to expand that like when when I was in pharmacy school it was a a itchharmacist could have one technician plus one more and potentially an intern and that's just kind of the way it was set up around the country that in many ways many states were just kind of limited that ratio
over time we've expanded that through legislative process and requests from industry with oversight to a3 to1 tech or a 1 to 1 intern and because it is basically unfair in many ways for rural Arkansas to be able to only potentially utilize3 support staff and we've always said pharmacists could basically use4 but if you're around a college you may be able to get a little bit higher training with your interns which might be better employees because they have more drug knowledge but limiting that in those areas
seemed unfair to the people who were trying to train his interns but also unfair to rural Arkansas that they could only utilize3 instead of4. so we're trying to equalize that but and and again I don't need you to send me any in
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:03:07
any information but you all did look around it like the states that are around us and things of that nature and do we know what they're allowing as far as the supervision are they allowing 1,2,6 or I just, I just wanted to make sure we just didn't pull this out of the air. Yes sir we didn't just pull it out of the
Speaker 188
1:03:26
air and I I can't recall the specific numbers on the intern side but most of the states around us have like a3 to1 or a4 to1 ratio and then some even have up to a a5 to1 or an unlimited ratio where it's up to the pharmacy to manage it you Mr Cha I appreciate the leeway sorry I missed that in
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:03:43
the beginning. all right thank you senator are members continuing
on thank you for folks for coming down. I see no other questions thanks takes down to review of
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:03:51
communications the only one that we have to
take action on is item 9B that's division of state parks.'ll give you a second to take a look at that
right memories you have time to review that I'm gonna need a motion to give favor favorable advice on this one senatoreyton, I'm sorry I didn't see you you're recognized. Go ahead. thank you Mr chairir. do we
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:04:41
have a fiscal impact on what it would cost the local school district and loss of property taxes give me just a second
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:05:02
No sir I do not see that in the package. We can request someone to come to the table
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:05:08
and answer that for you if you'd like someone for state parks the only property we're interested in is whatever borders us and we just keep growing those boundaries and those borders I realize this is small it's a 40 acre75,000 dollars thing but I think it's important to understand that once it's taken out of private ownership we lose the school district loses the property tax revenue . got it Any anyone here from statearks that can help answer this question
just push push the button there and and introduce yourself for the record and see if you can help Senatoreyton with
Speaker 200
1:05:53
his question. Good morning Jeff King, deputy director for the division of state parkks I'm not sure that I have the the fiscal impact or or the millage in front of me to know what the impact of this property being reduced from the from the tax rolls but it's estimated to be a75,000 dollars acquisition so it would be certainly minimal to the school district in terms of this acquisition I will
say that we've been working with wi only with willing sellers here and we don't have a a large amount of property that we planned for the park there are a few choice tracks that you are either in holdings or immediately adjacent to the park boundary that would allow us to expand recreation and trail opportunities there at the park and and that's the goal
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:06:36
of this acquisition thank you and that's my point this may be40 acres and75,000 dollars today but we're always interested in whatever borders us and
I think it's time that we take account of the fact that these dollars add up when maybe we should have some way to reimburse or make hold the school district as an ongoing expense but thank you thank you Mr Chair. thank you senator. Senator Irvin you're recognized right
Chair
Unverified
1:07:03
sorry Representative bentley thank you chairman would you guys just quickly go
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:07:09
over I know being a representative from there this these bike trails have added numerous amount of economy to that area so I
would say the the impact from improving and increasing the trails will actually be overtaken by the amount of people the tourism has been brought into that area especially atmountain Eba which one of our special trails have been placed there so I would think that the the income is derived from these bike trails farways think they're going to lose with property tax and I would just, I know that you guys have records of the income has come from tourism through those bike trails at Mount Nebo. thank you for that yes and I
Speaker 200
1:07:42
would I would agree that it does that does outweigh the the implications from the from the
taxes being lost to the school dress irks and we've seen a huge increase in tourism as we built out the75 miles of monument trails throughout the state and one of those locations is here at Mount Nebo and that would be the the goal is as a further expansion of the
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:08:04
trails for opportunities for tourism thank you
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
1:08:07
sir have one more question Representative Crawford thank you Mrir. excuse me so
I'm over here Did I hear you say that none of this was intimate domain that it
was willing to sellers. Yes, that's correct. All
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:08:25
right thank you senator dismay thank you just this is for senator I looked it up that parcel collects55 dollars 25 cents a year 23 cents a year 5 $5.23 Senatoreyton you recognize thank you senator dispain appreciate that information. all
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:08:41
right thank you seeing no other further questions, thank
you gentlemen for coming down members we have a motion to give
favorable advice. we get a second a second any discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed the ayes have it all right members that's gonna take us down to item
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:09:03
J1 we have an interim study proposal by Representative Kendra Moore right members this is to refer House
Committee on Education to evaluate education economic impact of aligning students with documented learning differences to
Mike Hager
Unverified
1:09:17
use text to speech assistive technology during state
assessments in Arkansas. Can I get a motion to refer that to Houseducation we have motion the second any discussion seeing none all those in favor say aye opposed the ayes have it we have interim study proposal bypresentativejoy Springer regarding instructional assistance and test taking costs to individuals seeking nursing certification can I get a motion you have a motion you a second you have a second any
discussion all right seeing seeing none all those in favor say aye all those opposed the ayes haven't members if you could get
your attention for just a second. we have I'm going to recognize Mr Eric Sanders and also Miss Marty Garrty. thank you Mr Chair. just
Speaker 108
1:10:00
today is Ericanders's last day with the bureau. Eric has been with the bureau for almost 20 years as in the IT department and with the state for more than 28 years he's one of our true success stories started as a pc support person, worked his way up to become the administrator and then a little
over three years ago became the assistant director deputy director for information technology Eric's gonna be sorely missed he's been a calming voice when we've had fires in our server rooms and issues over in the house and the senate and he was formally recognized by Representative Eaves and Senator Gilmore last week at his retirement party but I just wanted this body to understand the importance that Eric has played here at the bureau and for the general assembly thank you members
right. thank you Marty. Members, I'm going to recognize Senator Irvin at this time. thank
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:11:12
you Mr Chairembers, I just want to make an announcement that the game and fish state police subcommittee will be meeting next Wednesday October the firstt at theame and fish headquarters in West LittleRock at 9 a.m. so we would invite all of you to attend. thank you. thank you senator.embers seeing no other business we are adjourned
Agenda
A. Call to Order.
B. Roll Call.
C. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting, August 15, 2025.
D. Presentation of the August 2025 Revenue Report & Annual Revenue Report – Dr. Carlos Silva, Legislative Economist
E. Report of the Executive Subcommittee — Sen. Ben Gilmore, Rep. Les D. Eaves, Co-Chairs.
F. Reports of Standing Subcommittees:
G. Reports of Interim or Special Committees: (none)
H. Review of Communications:
I. New Business: (None)
J. New Interim Study Proposals and Interim Resolutions:
K. Business Carried Over: (none)
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
A. New Interim Study Proposals and Interim Resolutions:
B. Adjournment.
Documents
Speakers
Speaker 2
Mike Hager
Unverified
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Speaker 20
Representative Les D. Eaves Chair
Unverified
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 30
Speaker 41
Speaker 42
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
Speaker 52
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Speaker 63
Speaker 79
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Speaker 40
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 108
Speaker 112
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
Speaker 48
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
Speaker 136
Speaker 142
Speaker 144
Speaker 147
Speaker 149
Speaker 62
Speaker 160
Speaker 163
Speaker 168
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
Speaker 176
Speaker 179
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Speaker 187
Speaker 188
Speaker 200
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified